Bethel Park Standoff Ends Peacefully

BETHEL PARK (KDKA) – A standoff situation in a Bethel Park neighborhood came to a peaceful end early Tuesday morning.

According to police, the initial call came in around 9:30 p.m. Monday. Police were initially responding to a neighbor dispute on Collie Drive.

Police went to speak with the woman about a complaint filed against her, but things escalated when she pulled out a revolver.

The SWAT team was called when she refused to surrender.

“The officers said the [elderly woman] in her 70s had reached into her nightgown a couple times. And on the second occasion, when she removed her hand, she had what appeared to be a .38 revolver in her hand, pointed it at the officer and made a statement that the officer obviously felt was threatening. He immediately retreated from the scene and notified dispatch what was going on,” Bethel Park Police Chief John Mackey said.

Rhoda Hughes, 75, surrendered around 12:30 a.m. and is undergoing a mental evaluation.

There have been several neighbor disputes involving Hughes recently. Monday night’s call was for Hughes’ flood lights shining into a neighbor’s home.

” There were just officers everywhere and the next thing you know the SWAT team is here. It was just very frightening and we were afraid for everyone,” Syd West said.

Bethel Park Police are planning to speak with the district attorney about filing charges. Chief Mackey said if charges are filed they will be for assault and recklessly endangering another person.